July 23, 2010
July 23, 2010
In radio address, governor says education key to economic diversification, jobs
LANSING - In her weekly radio address, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today said higher test scores by students on the Michigan Merit Examination result from a more rigorous college prep curriculum implemented four years ago.
"The Michigan Department of Education reported this week that high school students in our state are continuing to improve their performance on the Michigan Merit Examination and scoring higher on the ACT college entrance test," Granholm said. "These higher test scores are occurring because of something we did four years ago. We created a more rigorous high school curriculum, which students would have to complete to graduate."
In the governor's 2006 State of the State address, she called on the Legislature to adopt recommendations for a tougher, college prep curriculum that had been developed by State Superintendent Mike Flanagan and approved by the State Board of Education. Legislation was passed, and the governor signed it into law April 20, 2006.
"The high school juniors who took the Michigan Merit Exam this year will be the first students who'll have to complete the new college prep curriculum to graduate," Granholm said.
"This rigorous curriculum helps ensure that every high school graduate in Michigan can be successful in college or technical training," Granholm continued. "That is the key to Michigan's economic future. A well-educated workforce is essential to diversifying our economy, attracting investment and jobs to our state, and competing in the global marketplace."
"Four years ago we created that college prep curriculum for high school students with the goal of doubling the number of college graduates in Michigan," Granholm said. "Rising test scores are the best proof that the more rigorous curriculum is working. And that is good news as we continue moving to a new, knowledge-based Michigan economy.
The governor's weekly radio address is released each Friday and may be heard on broadcast stations across the state. The address is available for download on the governor's Web site at www.michigan.gov/gov together with a clip of the quote above. The radio address also is available as a podcast on the Web site as well as on iTunes and via RSS feed for general distribution to personal MP3 players and home computers. Links to the audio files and text of today's address follow.
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
Radio Address - Education
Full: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Gov259full_328650_7.mp3
Edited: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Gov259Edit_328651_7.mp3
Quote: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Gov259Quote_328652_7.mp3
Hello, this is Governor Jennifer Granholm.
If you think kids today are smarter than ever, you're right - they are.
The Michigan Department of Education reported this week that high school students in our state are continuing to improve their performance on the Michigan Merit Examination and scoring higher on the ACT college entrance test.
Every spring, 11th grade students take the Michigan Merit Exam. The exam tests students' proficiency in reading, writing, math, science and social studies. Part of the exam is the ACT college entrance test.
More than 110,000 students took the Michigan Merit Exam this year and scored an average of 19.3 on the ACT portion of the test. This is the third consecutive year that the ACT average score has risen.
The percentage of students scoring at the proficient or advanced levels in math, science, reading and writing is at its highest level ever.
These higher test scores are occurring because of something we did four years ago. We created a more rigorous high school curriculum which students would have to complete to graduate.
Back in 2006, I called on the Legislature to adopt recommendations for a tougher, college prep curriculum that had been developed by State Superintendent Mike Flanagan and approved by the State Board of Education. Legislation was passed, and I signed it into law.
The high school juniors who took the Michigan Merit Exam this year will be the first students who will have to complete the new college prep curriculum to graduate. And it's a tough curriculum.
Every student must take four years each of math and English. They must take three years each of science and social studies, two years of a foreign language and one year of the arts. Also required are an online learning experience and a year of physical education and health.
This rigorous curriculum helps ensure that every high school graduate in Michigan can be successful in college or technical training. That is the key to Michigan's economic future. A well-educated workforce is essential to diversifying our economy and attracting investment and jobs to our state, as well as competing in the global marketplace.
Four years ago, we created that college prep curriculum for high school students with the goal of doubling the number of college graduates in Michigan. Rising test scores are the best proof that the more rigorous curriculum is working. And that is good news as we continue moving to a new, knowledge-based Michigan economy.
Thank you for listening.
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